HelMSIC-Thessaloniki

The University

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) is the largest University in Greece covering all disciplines. It was founded in 1925 and it was the second Greek university to be founded after the University of Athens, which was established in 1837. It is widely recognised as a vibrant centre of learning which draws its inspiration from a long tradition of academic achievement. This can be supported, among other factors, by the fact that not only in science, technology and medicine, but also in the arts and divinity, it prides itself in its international role. The University has been actively participating in the Erasmus Programme since 1987, accounting approximately one fourth of the total Erasmus mobility in Greece in the frame of Student for Studies Mobilities as well as Staff for Teaching Mobilities. The main campus is located in the centre of the city of Thessaloniki and covers an area of about 33.4 hectares. It comprises 10 faculties which consist of 40 schools and 1 single-School Faculty. Some educational and administrative facilities are located off campus for practical and operational reasons.  

The Faculty of Medicine

The Faculty of Medicine is one of the four Departments of the School of Health Sciences of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. It was founded as a “Medical School” of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 1942, during the Second World War. The purpose of the Faculty of Medicine of the School of Health Sciences of AUTh is the education of its students and the production of a high level medical scientific potential for the country. Also, the goal is the production of remarkable research projects, both autonomous and in collaboration with other research centres in Greece and abroad. The strategic objectives of AUTh Medical Faculty, in the framework of its vision and mission, remain high and consistently oriented to the continuation of its tradition, namely to be a pioneer institution, standing out among Greek and many foreign Universities on all levels: holistic education, research, culture, social accountability. Also, since 2019, a new curriculum is implemented, which focuses on creating better medical students. From the first day of enrollment in the Medical School, each student will have their academic advisor, who will guide them throughout their studies. In addition, every student from the first semester will be required to learn basic clinical skills and will practice in a health center.

The Hospital

The clinical training of Thessaloniki’s medical students takes place in 6 different hospitals with fully equipped clinical and surgical departments. Especially AHEPA University General Hospital, also known as AHEPA Hospital, is considered one of the biggest hospitals in Greece, based in Thessaloniki. The central service of AHEPA hospital is located in the territory of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, within the administrative region of the municipality of Thessaloniki. It is a major teaching hospital and part of the National Healthcare System of Greece. In all of the 6 hospitals, medical students practice medicine in small groups under the supervision of specialized and well-trained doctors and professors. Students and patients have always been a priority for the University Hospitals, preparing socially accountable future doctors.

The city of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece, with over 1 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, and the capital of the geographic region of Macedonia. It is also known as “the co-capital” of Greece. Thessaloniki is located on the Thermaic Gulf, at the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea. It is bounded on the west by the delta of the Axios/Vardar and it is Greece’s second major economic, industrial, commercial and political centre, while it is a major transportation hub for Greece and southeastern Europe, notably through the Port of Thessaloniki. The city is renowned for its festivals, events and vibrant cultural life in general, and is considered to be Greece’s cultural capital. Events such as the Thessaloniki International Fair and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival are held annually. Thessaloniki was the 2014 European Youth Capital. Things that a visitor should do are a visit to the fortress enjoying the view of the whole city, a walk or bike ride at the seaside area or the Ladadika and Valaoritou streets, tasting the local cuisine and enjoying the famous nightlife of Thessaloniki.